Veterans Memorial Bridge project in Martin County

Images from the Veterans Memorial Bridge construction project linking Palm City and Stuart on Wednesday August 28, 2013

ERIC HASERT/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS Mangrove trees on Kiplinger Island are seen looking east under the pilings of the main span of the Veterans Memorial Bridge still under construction on Wednesday August 28th. To minimize the impact of the bridge on the island, only 1 piling was installed on the 200-acre island to support the main span of the bridge.The new bridge crosses both the St. Lucie River and the Okeechobee Waterway while linking Martin Highway in Palm City to Indian Street in Stuart.

ERIC HASERT/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS Sean Jones (right) of Hazeltine Nurseries Inc, of Venice, checks the level of a palm tree being installed at the north-west base of the Veterans Memorial Bridge still under construction on Wednesday August 28th. Approximately 5,000 trees will be planted by the completion of the bridge project.

ERIC HASERT/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS Mangrove trees line she shoreline along the Okeechobee Waterway as construction of the Veterans Memorial Bridge nears completion as seen from the Kiplinger Nature Preserve trail dock on Wednesday August 28th. The new bridge crosses both the St. Lucie River and the Okeechobee Waterway while linking Martin Highway in Palm City to Indian Street in Stuart. PHOTOGRAPHED: Wednesday AUGUST 28, 2013